A Vintage 1920’s Gown for a Walled Garden Wedding by the Sea

1920s wedding dress

I don’t know quite why, but there is something very lovely indeed about a wedding of two people who have been together for a very long time, but only recently decided to get married.  Some weddings also just have an undeniable aura of cool and this is most certainly one of them.

Meet Dilys, a Professor in Fashion and Sustainability Design and Femi, a musician who was in the 80’s Band ‘Young Disciples‘, who married at The Old Rectory in Hastings, on the 5th of September 2016 after twenty three years together.  The day was captured on camera by the fantastic Georgina Piper.

“We chose the venue due to close friendship ties with the location, because it is so beautiful and because we wanted to be near to the sea. We met through the London music scene in the late 1980’s and our paths criss-crossed over a few years of each of us being deeply involved in our work – fashion and music.  One day, we each had a little more time to spend together and the rest is history, as they say.  Time flies, we were having fun and twenty three years later, we decided to get married.  It was the best decision ever!”

Photography by Georgina Piper

vintage inspired garden wedding 39

Dilys wore the most exquisite 1920’s dress, which she bought from Hammersmith Vintage Fair.  Her friend Dansoa helped her to re-style the gown to suit.“The dress was was made in 1926 – the year that my Grandma got married.  It’s a fine muslin with beautiful lace inserts, super fine, super subtle and it has a white lace collar which I love.  To line the dress, I bought a beautiful Stella McCartney slip and they became a perfect match.”

vintage inspired garden wedding 3vintage inspired garden wedding 4

“My grandma would have been 100 on our wedding day. She left her wedding ring for us when she died a couple of years ago and I found a dress made in the year that she had been married too.”

“The music for the wedding was a snapshot of our lives, from Stevie Wonder to the Carpenters with others in between.”

vintage inspired garden wedding 1vintage inspired garden wedding 2vintage inspired garden wedding 5vintage inspired garden wedding 6vintage inspired garden wedding 7vintage inspired garden wedding 8

Dilys’ veil and hat were made by wonderful friend Alice Nicolls, while her rather fabulous shoes (chosen to match the dark purple of Femi’s suit) were by Olivia Morris and purchased on Vestiere.  Her scent was from a little historical place in Florence, while for accessories she chose pieces with emotional ties. I love that.

“I wore the cross that my dad gave to my mum (he died when I was 13), earrings bought by Femi in Portobello market and a blue hankie given to me by my mum (it had belonged to my grandma).”

vintage inspired garden wedding 9vintage inspired garden wedding 10

Femi wore a sublime inky purple suit and white shirt by Ozwald Boateng, paired with hand made shoes he purchased in London.

vintage inspired garden wedding 11vintage inspired garden wedding 12vintage inspired garden wedding 13vintage inspired garden wedding 14

Dilys was accompanied down the aisle by her step dad, Malcolm to ‘Always’ by Stevie Wonder.

They kept their vows simple, but powerfully lovely.

“In equal love and care; as a reflection on my true self and partner on my path; to honor and to cherish, in sorrow and in joy, to share dreams and love together, always.”

vintage inspired garden wedding 15

For readings, the couple chose ‘Invisible Kisses’ by Lemn Sisay and ‘Human Family’ by Maya Angelou, both beautiful choices.

To cement their vows, Dilys and Femi also exchanged rings, using Dilys’ grandmother’s rings, as well as others which they had made for them in Sri Lanka.

vintage inspired garden wedding 16vintage inspired garden wedding 24vintage inspired garden wedding 17vintage inspired garden wedding 18vintage inspired garden wedding 21vintage inspired garden wedding 20

Would you look at this cake! A floral extravaganza that would be sure to have turned heads on the day. Absolutely beautiful.

“Our cake was made by the wonderful Adrienne Cleasby – the best cake maker ever!”

vintage inspired garden wedding 19vintage inspired garden wedding 22vintage inspired garden wedding 23

Flowers were by Shimizu Flowers, who Dilys describes as ‘the angel of Hastings’.

“Shimizu was amazing, especially as we were let down last minute by another florist and she came in so last minute and created magic with ease, smiles and blessings.”

vintage inspired garden wedding 25vintage inspired garden wedding 26vintage inspired garden wedding 27vintage inspired garden wedding 28vintage inspired garden wedding 29vintage inspired garden wedding 30vintage inspired garden wedding 31vintage inspired garden wedding 32vintage inspired garden wedding 33vintage inspired garden wedding 34vintage inspired garden wedding 35vintage inspired garden wedding 36vintage inspired garden wedding 37

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“You’ve probably heard it all before, but be you. Do what feels right for you.  The perfect wedding is the one that is perfect for you.”

“Your perfect might be honouring your friends, your mum, your kids, but all of these things are part of honouring you both.”

vintage inspired garden wedding 38

So many thanks to Dilys and Femi, for sharing their beautiful day with us all.  I absolutely adore Dilys’ dress, don’t you?  I can’t imagine a 1920’s gown in such a good state of repair is an easy thing to find, but if the 1920’s look inspires you, take a peek here at some of our past 20’s themed days.  Alternatively, if the seaside aspect of the day appeals, take a look here for some coastal inspiration. Finally, if its Georgina Piper‘s beautiful photography you’ve fallen for, have a look here to see another wedding we’ve featured, also photographed by this talented lady.

Much love,

Shona x

Credits & Thanks

Shona Raffle-Edwards

Shona Raffle-EdwardsView all Shona's articles

Shona is a wedding admiring bookworm with a love of the countryside, flowers and all things organisational who is currently based in sunny Yorkshire with her husband and beloved cat

One thought on “A Vintage 1920’s Gown for a Walled Garden Wedding by the Sea

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Close
Top